Washington, D.C. – US-led airstrikes carried out last week on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen were only partially successful in reducing the group’s offensive capabilities, according to a US official. Despite the barrage of strikes, which included precision-guided munitions fired at multiple sites, the Houthis still maintain about three-quarters of their ability to target commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This was evident when a Houthi missile hit a US-owned cargo ship in the Red Sea on Monday, marking the first successful strike against a US-operated vessel by the militants.
While the airstrike accomplished its intended purpose of destroying or damaging 93% of the selected targets, some US officials privately acknowledged that it did little to hinder the Houthis’ ability to continue striking international shipping. One senior US official stated, “Message received and some degradation, but we expect a response and don’t believe we have set back their military efforts substantially.”
The limited success of the operation highlights the delicate balancing act the Biden administration is undertaking in the Middle East. With tensions simmering just below the threshold of outright war between Iranian-backed groups, the US, and Israel, Washington aims to avoid escalating the situation further. Attacks by the Houthis and other Iranian-backed groups could potentially draw Israel and the terrorist group Hamas into a second front of the conflict.
Since November, the Houthis have carried out numerous attacks on international shipping in retaliation for Israel’s war in Gaza. These attacks disrupt global trade, forcing major shipping companies to avoid the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, resulting in longer and costlier shipping routes around the continent of Africa.
Senior Biden administration officials maintain that the operation successfully degraded the Houthis’ military capabilities. However, the US intelligence community believes that Iran is carefully orchestrating the Houthi attacks as part of its response to Israel’s actions in Gaza. While no major party desires a wider war, officials are concerned that a miscalculation by any side, particularly the independent and ideologically driven Houthis, could potentially spiral into a broader conflict.
Analysts warn that a prolonged closure of the Red Sea routes, including the Suez Canal, could significantly disrupt global supply chains and contribute to rising prices amid the battle against inflation. The Suez Canal represents 10% to 15% of world trade, including oil exports, and accounts for 30% of global container shipping volumes.
Moving forward, President Joe Biden has committed to taking further measures, if necessary, to protect US interests and the free flow of international commerce. As the situation in Yemen and the wider Middle East unfolds, the delicate balance of power and the potential risks of escalation remain key concerns for the Biden administration.